Natasha Wiebe

Statistics Canada released data on Saskatchewan's second quarter population estimates. Currently, the province's estimated population is 1,239,865, a difference of 6797 since last April. Overall, there was an increase of roughly 2.5 percent since last year. 

The House of Commons sat for the first time since the NDP ended its Supply and Confidence deal with the Liberal Party. There, a confidence motion was put forward by the conservative party. MP for Souris Moose Mountain, Robert Kitchen, reports the basic confidence motion has been defeated. 

School buses play an essential role in ensuring the safety of students as they travel to and from school. Transportation supervisor for the Southeast Cornerstone Public School Division, Andy Verhaeghe, says a key part of bus safety comes down to the conduct of students on board. Rules for busing students are posted in every bus. 

With winter around the corner people are preparing to winterize. Agrologist Sherri Roberts says this practice should extend to trees as well. 

With elm pruning bans lifted, Roberts reminds homeowners to ensure tree branches are trimmed around the home, especially the roof. 

“If you've got any branches that are extending out over your roof, get them cut off, because you are risking your shingle health, which is then in turn risking your whole roof health, and once you lose that roof, I mean, hey, your house is going to end up an absolute mess.” 

Fall weather will soon have leaves and lawns turning amber. Agrologist Sherri Roberts says lawns must be properly prepared to weather winter conditions.  

Roberts says there is a debate on whether to fertilize a lawn one last time in the fall. She mentions the type of fertilizer is what makes the difference.  

With farmers harvesting and temperatures dropping, many think gardening season has come to an end, however, agrologist Sherri Roberts, says there’s still work to be done. 

Roberts mentions spring flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocus need to be planted now in order to bloom when the snow melts next year. “They need to have time to develop a root system. All those types of bulbs, they have to have a cold period. it's called vernalization. They have to go through that so that they can actually pop and bloom in the spring.” 

Weyburn singer songwriter, Karissa Hoffart, is performing for the Canadian Country Music Association Awards (CCMA’s) next weekend in Edmonton Alberta.  

“It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing for sure. This is going to be my very first ever CCMA award show and award week that I'll be going to as an artist. It's just really an exciting experience to be able to perform and showcase my talents and bring them all the way from Weyburn.” 

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has ripped up the supply and confidence deal with the Liberal party. His decision was announced in a social media video on Wednesday, saying Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had been notified of the decision. 

A daycare is being established in the town of Midale, planning to offer essential childcare to local working parents. Vice President of Midale Daycare Inc. Lana Hoium says the decision to build a daycare in town was based on a survey put out more than two years ago. 

With school back in session yesterday, students will be transitioning from summer routines back into academic schedules. This transition can be overwhelming according to Keith Keating, Director of Education for the Southeast Cornerstone Public School Division. He says uncertainty about new teachers and classrooms, as well as social relationships and the academic workload. 

Keating says schools are aware of this, and staff are equipped to foster positive mental health practices in their classrooms.